Systems and methods for providing card account controls and purchase impact information

ABSTRACT

A system for providing card account controls and purchase impact information may comprise at least one subsystem that receives information regarding a potential purchase of a customer, and at least one subsystem that provides potential purchase impact information to the customer based on the information regarding the potential purchase of the customer.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application that claims priority toand the benefit of U.S. Pat. No. 8,843,405, entitled, “SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS FOR PROVIDING CARD ACCOUNT CONTROLS AND PURCHASE IMPACTINFORMATION,” filed Feb. 2, 2009, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Currently, buyers both young and old often make purchases withoutconsidering the impact of doing so. The ubiquitous use and acceptance ofcredit cards and debit cards and overdraft protection loans make largesums of money easily available to make purchases quickly on impulse.This applies to debit card, credit card and checkbook use, all leadingback to an account. Each scenario, whether it is a credit card purchase,debit card purchase or use of a checkbook has a different impact on thebuyer and their financial condition, but the buyer often is not aware ofor does not think about the different impacts. Even if a buyer does wantto give it serious thought before making a large purchase, a buyer mustoften make many calculations on the spot or go through their finances athome first if they want to determine if they can really afford to makethe purchase, thus perhaps losing an opportunity for a good bargain.

In this regard, there is a need for systems and methods that overcomethe shortcomings described above and others.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subjectmatter.

In consideration of the above-identified shortcomings of the art,systems and methods for providing card account controls and purchaseimpact information are described herein. For several embodiments, asystem for providing card account controls and purchase impactinformation may comprise at least one subsystem that receivesinformation regarding a potential purchase of a customer, and at leastone subsystem that provides potential purchase impact information to thecustomer based on the information regarding the potential purchase ofthe customer.

Other features and embodiments are described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Systems methods for providing card account controls and purchase impactinformation are further described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram representing an exemplary computingenvironment suitable for use in conjunction with implementing systemsmethods for providing card account controls and purchase impactinformation;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary networked computing environment in whichmany computerized processes may be implemented to perform providing cardaccount controls and purchase impact information;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example implementation of a system inwhich example embodiments and aspects of systems methods for providingcard account controls and purchase impact information may beimplemented;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an example process for providingcard account controls and purchase impact information;

FIG. 5 a flow chart illustrating an example process for providing cardaccount controls and purchase impact information involving alertingother customers associated with an account of a customer; and

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating an example process for providingpurchase impact information regarding various accounts of a customer;and

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating an example process for providingpurchase impact information regarding a budget of a customer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain specific details are set forth in the following description andfigures to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments.Certain well-known details often associated with computing and softwaretechnology are not set forth in the following disclosure to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the various embodiments. Further, those ofordinary skill in the relevant art will understand that they canpractice other embodiments without one or more of the details describedbelow. Finally, while various methods are described with reference tosteps and sequences in the following disclosure, the description as suchis for providing a clear implementation of various embodiments, and thesteps and sequences of steps should not be taken as required to practicethe embodiments.

Referring next to FIG. 1, shown is a block diagram representing anexemplary computing environment suitable for use in conjunction withimplementing the processes described below. For example, thecomputer-executable instructions that carry out the processes andmethods for providing card account controls and purchase impactinformation may reside and/or be executed in such a computingenvironment as shown in FIG. 1. The computing environment 220 is onlyone example of a suitable computing environment and is not intended tosuggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of theembodiments. Neither should the computing environment 220 be interpretedas having any dependency or requirement relating to any one orcombination of components illustrated in the exemplary computingenvironment 220. For example a mobile device may also include one ormore items such as those described below for use in conjunction withimplementing the processes described below.

Aspects of the embodiments are operational with numerous other generalpurpose or special purpose computing environments or configurations.Examples of well known computing systems, environments, and/orconfigurations that may be suitable for use with the embodimentsinclude, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers,hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems,microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumerelectronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers,distributed computing environments that include any of the above systemsor devices, and the like.

Aspects of the embodiments may be implemented in the general context ofcomputer-executable instructions, such as program modules, beingexecuted by a computer. Generally, program modules include routines,programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that performparticular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Aspects ofthe embodiments may also be practiced in distributed computingenvironments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices thatare linked through a communications network. In a distributed computingenvironment, program modules may be located in both local and remotecomputer storage media including memory storage devices.

An exemplary system for implementing aspects of the embodiments includesa general purpose computing device in the form of a computer 241.Components of computer 241 may include, but are not limited to, aprocessing unit 259, a system memory 222, a graphics interface 231, agraphics processing unit (GPU), video memory 229, and a system bus 221that couples various system components including the system memory 222to the processing unit 259. The system bus 221 may be any of severaltypes of bus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, aperipheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of busarchitectures. By way of example, and not limitation, such architecturesinclude Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Micro ChannelArchitecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Video ElectronicsStandards Association (VESA) local bus, and Peripheral ComponentInterconnect (PCI) bus also known as Mezzanine bus.

Computer 241 typically includes a variety of computer readable media.Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessedby computer 241 and include both volatile and nonvolatile media,removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and notlimitation, computer readable media may comprise computer storage mediaand communication media. Computer storage media include volatile andnonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any methodor technology for storage of information such as computer readableinstructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computerstorage media include, but are not limited to, random access memory(RAM), read-only memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable ProgrammableRead-Only Memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology,CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage,magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or othermagnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to storethe desired information and which can accessed by computer 241.Communication media typically embody computer readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated datasignal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includeany information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means asignal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed insuch a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example,and not limitation, communication media include wired media such as awired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such asacoustic, radio frequency (RF), infrared and other wireless media.Combinations of the any of the above should also be included within thescope of computer readable media.

The system memory 222 includes computer storage media in the form ofvolatile and/or nonvolatile memory such as ROM 223 and RAM 260. A basicinput/output system (BIOS) 224, containing the basic routines that helpto transfer information between elements within computer 241, such asduring start-up, is typically stored in ROM 223. RAM 260 typicallycontains data and/or program modules that are immediately accessible toand/or presently being operated on by processing unit 259. By way ofexample, and not limitation, FIG. 1 illustrates operating system 225,application programs 226, other program modules 227, and program data228.

The computer 241 may also include other removable/non-removable,volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media. By way of example only,FIG. 1 illustrates a hard disk drive 238 that reads from or writes tonon-removable, nonvolatile magnetic media, a magnetic disk drive 239that reads from or writes to a removable, nonvolatile magnetic disk 254,and an optical disk drive 240 that reads from or writes to a removable,nonvolatile optical disk 253 such as a CD-ROM or other optical media.Other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storagemedia that can be used in the exemplary operating environment include,but are not limited to, magnetic tape cassettes, flash memory cards,digital versatile disks, digital video tape, solid state RAM, solidstate ROM, and the like. The hard disk drive 238 is typically connectedto the system bus 221 through a non-removable memory interface such asinterface 234, and magnetic disk drive 239 and optical disk drive 240are typically connected to the system bus 221 by a removable memoryinterface, such as interface 235.

The drives and their associated computer storage media discussed aboveand illustrated in FIG. 1 provide storage of computer readableinstructions, data structures, program modules and other data for thecomputer 241. In FIG. 1, for example, hard disk drive 238 is illustratedas storing operating system 258, application programs 257, other programmodules 256, and program data 255. Note that these components can eitherbe the same as or different from operating system 225, applicationprograms 226, other program modules 227, and program data 228. Operatingsystem 258, application programs 257, other program modules 256, andprogram data 255 are given different numbers here to illustrate that, ata minimum, they are different copies. A user may enter commands andinformation into the computer 241 through input devices such as akeyboard 251 and pointing device 252, commonly referred to as a mouse,trackball or touch pad. Other input devices (not shown) may include amicrophone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, or the like.These and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit259 through a user input interface 236 that is coupled to the system bus221, but may be connected by other interface and bus structures, such asa parallel port, game port or a universal serial bus (USB). A monitor242 or other type of display device is also connected to the system bus221 via an interface, such as a video interface 232. In addition to themonitor 242, computer 241 may also include other peripheral outputdevices such as speakers 244 and printer 243, which may be connectedthrough an output peripheral interface 233.

The computer 241 may operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer246. The remote computer 246 may be a personal computer, a server, arouter, a network PC, a peer device or other common network node, andtypically includes many or all of the elements described above relativeto the computer 241, although only a memory storage device 247 has beenillustrated in FIG. 1. The logical connections depicted in FIG. 1include a local area network (LAN) 245 and a wide area network (WAN)249, but may also include other networks. Such networking environmentsare commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranetsand the Internet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 241 is connectedto the LAN 245 through a network interface or adapter 237. When used ina WAN networking environment, the computer 241 typically includes amodem 250 or other means for establishing communications over the WAN249, such as the Internet. The modem 250, which may be internal orexternal, may be connected to the system bus 221 via the user inputinterface 236, or other appropriate mechanism. In a networkedenvironment, program modules depicted relative to the computer 241, orportions thereof, may be stored in the remote memory storage device 247.By way of example, and not limitation, FIG. 1 illustrates remoteapplication programs 248 as residing on the remote memory storage device247. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown areexemplary and other means of establishing a communications link betweenthe computers may be used.

It should be understood that the various techniques described herein maybe implemented in connection with hardware or software or, whereappropriate, with a combination of both. As used herein a “system” or“subsystem” may comprise one or more of, or any combination of, thefollowing: mechanical devices, hardware, components of hardware,circuits, circuitry, logic design, logical components, software,software modules, components of software or software modules, softwareprocedures, software instructions, software routines, software objects,software functions, software classes, software programs, filescontaining software, etc., to perform the intended function of thesystem or subsystem. Thus, the methods and apparatus of the embodiments,or certain aspects or portions thereof, may take the form of programcode (i.e., instructions) embodied in tangible media, such as floppydiskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives, or any other machine-readable storagemedium wherein, when the program code is loaded into and executed by amachine, such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus forpracticing the embodiments. In the case of program code execution onprogrammable computers, the computing device generally includes aprocessor, a storage medium readable by the processor (includingvolatile and non-volatile memory and/or storage elements), at least oneinput device, and at least one output device. One or more programs thatmay implement or utilize the processes described in connection with theembodiments, e.g., through the use of an application programminginterface (API), reusable controls, or the like. Such programs arepreferably implemented in a high level procedural or object-orientedprogramming language to communicate with a computer system. However, theprogram(s) can be implemented in assembly or machine language, ifdesired. In any case, the language may be a compiled or interpretedlanguage, and combined with hardware implementations.

Although exemplary embodiments may refer to utilizing aspects of theembodiments in the context of one or more stand-alone computer systems,the embodiments are not so limited, but rather may be implemented inconnection with any computing environment, such as a network ordistributed computing environment. Still further, aspects of theembodiments may be implemented in or across a plurality of processingchips or devices, and storage may similarly be affected across aplurality of devices. Such devices might include personal computers,network servers, handheld devices, supercomputers, or computersintegrated into other systems such as automobiles and airplanes.

Referring next to FIG. 2, shown is an exemplary networked computingenvironment in which many computerized processes may be implemented toperform the processes described below. For example, parallel computingmay be part of such a networked environment with various clients on thenetwork of FIG. 2 using and/or implementing systems methods forproviding card account controls and purchase impact information. One ofordinary skill in the art can appreciate that networks can connect anycomputer or other client or server device, or in a distributed computingenvironment. In this regard, any computer system or environment havingany number of processing, memory, or storage units, and any number ofapplications and processes occurring simultaneously is consideredsuitable for use in connection with the systems and methods provided.

Distributed computing provides sharing of computer resources andservices by exchange between computing devices and systems. Theseresources and services include the exchange of information, cachestorage and disk storage for files. Distributed computing takesadvantage of network connectivity, allowing clients to leverage theircollective power to benefit the entire enterprise. In this regard, avariety of devices may have applications, objects or resources that mayimplicate the processes described herein.

FIG. 2 provides a schematic diagram of an exemplary networked ordistributed computing environment. The environment comprises computingdevices 271, 272, 276, and 277 as well as objects 273, 274, and 275, anddatabase 278. Each of these entities 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277and 278 may comprise or make use of programs, methods, data stores,programmable logic, etc. The entities 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277and 278 may span portions of the same or different devices such as PDAs,audio/video devices, MP3 players, personal computers, etc. Each entity271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277 and 278 can communicate with anotherentity 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277 and 278 by way of thecommunications network 270. In this regard, any entity may beresponsible for the maintenance and updating of a database 278 or otherstorage element.

This network 270 may itself comprise other computing entities thatprovide services to the system of FIG. 2, and may represent multipleinterconnected networks. In accordance with aspects of the embodiments,each entity 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277 and 278 may containdiscrete functional program modules that might make use of an API, orother object, software, firmware and/or hardware, to request services ofone or more of the other entities 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277 and278.

It can also be appreciated that an object, such as 275, may be hosted onanother computing device 276. Thus, although the physical environmentdepicted may show the connected devices as computers, such illustrationis merely exemplary and the physical environment may alternatively bedepicted or described comprising various digital devices such as PDAs,televisions, MP3 players, etc., software objects such as interfaces, COMobjects and the like.

There are a variety of systems, components, and network configurationsthat support distributed computing environments. For example, computingsystems may be connected together by wired or wireless systems, by localnetworks or widely distributed networks. Currently, many networks arecoupled to the Internet, which provides an infrastructure for widelydistributed computing and encompasses many different networks. Any suchinfrastructures, whether coupled to the Internet or not, may be used inconjunction with the systems and methods provided.

A network infrastructure may enable a host of network topologies such asclient/server, peer-to-peer, or hybrid architectures. The “client” is amember of a class or group that uses the services of another class orgroup to which it is not related. In computing, a client is a process,i.e., roughly a set of instructions or tasks, that requests a serviceprovided by another program. The client process utilizes the requestedservice without having to “know” any working details about the otherprogram or the service itself. In a client/server architecture,particularly a networked system, a client is usually a computer thataccesses shared network resources provided by another computer, e.g., aserver. In the example of FIG. 2, any entity 271, 272, 273, 274, 275,276, 277 and 278 can be considered a client, a server, or both,depending on the circumstances.

A server is typically, though not necessarily, a remote computer systemaccessible over a remote or local network, such as the Internet. Theclient process may be active in a first computer system, and the serverprocess may be active in a second computer system, communicating withone another over a communications medium, thus providing distributedfunctionality and allowing multiple clients to take advantage of theinformation-gathering capabilities of the server. Any software objectsmay be distributed across multiple computing devices or objects.

Client(s) and server(s) communicate with one another utilizing thefunctionality provided by protocol layer(s). For example, HyperTextTransfer Protocol (HTTP) is a common protocol that is used inconjunction with the World Wide Web (WWW), or “the Web.” Typically, acomputer network address such as an Internet Protocol (IP) address orother reference such as a Universal Resource Locator (URL) can be usedto identify the server or client computers to each other. The networkaddress can be referred to as a URL address. Communication can beprovided over a communications medium, e.g., client(s) and server(s) maybe coupled to one another via TCP/IP connection(s) for high-capacitycommunication.

In light of the diverse computing environments that may be builtaccording to the general framework provided in FIG. 2 and the furtherdiversification that can occur in computing in a network environmentsuch as that of FIG. 2, the systems and methods provided herein cannotbe construed as limited in any way to a particular computingarchitecture. Instead, the embodiments should be construed in breadthand scope in accordance with the appended claims.

Referring next to FIG. 3 shown is a block diagram of an exampleimplementation of a system in which example embodiments and aspects ofsystems methods for providing card account controls and purchase impactinformation may be implemented. Shown are an example card/checkingservices company 301, an example customer 303, and an example merchant305. The card/checking services company may be a bank, financialservices company, card issuing company, or any organization thatprovides services for making purchases by use of a card account orchecking account. The card account may include but is not limited to oneor more of the following types of accounts: credit card, debit card,bank card, gift card, prepaid cash card, etc. The example customer 303is that of the card/checking services company 301 and the examplemerchant is a company from which the customer 303 may wish to purchasegoods or services.

The example card/checking services company 301, example customer 303,and example merchant 305 may be in operable communication with eachother as shown in FIG. 3 via one or more networks, such as an intranet,the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), apublic switched telephone network (PSTN), a voice over Internet protocol(VoIP) network, a cellular network, satellite network, or other short orlong range wireless network, etc. Also, the example customer 303 mayvisit the example merchant 301 at a physical location of the merchant301 in order to communicate with the merchant. The example card/checkingservices company 301, example customer 303, and example merchant 305 mayhave on-site or remote access to one or more computing systems and/ornetworked computing environments, such as, for example, those describedabove with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2 for computing, data storage and/orcommunications purposes such as required for running, implementingand/or using systems methods for providing card account controls andpurchase impact information described herein. The example card/checkingservices company 301, example customer 303, and example merchant 305also include any agents or vendors representing the examplecard/checking services company 301, example customer 303, and examplemerchant 305, respectively. Any reference herein to a card/checkingservices company, customer, or merchant also includes any agents orvendors representing the card/checking services company, customer, ormerchant, respectively.

Referring next to FIG. 4, shown is a flow chart illustrating an exampleprocess for providing card account controls and purchase impactinformation. First, information is received (401) regarding a potentialpurchase of a customer. This information may be received from thecustomer, for example, and may be received through any number ofchannels including but not limited to one or more of the following:phone, text message, internet, email, credit card/checking servicescompany web site, merchant card system, etc. For example, a customer mayuse a mobile communications device such as a cellular phone or mobilecomputing device to enter such information into the device and thencommunicate such information to the card/checking services company. Asoftware application may be running on the customer device to provide aninterface to input such information regarding a potential purchase of acustomer and facilitate the communication of such information regardinga potential purchase of a customer to the card/checking servicescompany.

Also, information regarding a potential purchase may be scanned or readusing a bar code scanner to scan a bar code associated with an item tobe purchased or such information may be read using a radio frequencyidentification (RFID) reader to read an RFID tag associated with item.Such scanners may be stand alone devices in operable communications withthe card/checking services company, or integrated with the customer'sdevice wherein the software application on the device is configured toread the scanned information of the item and facilitate thecommunication of such information regarding a potential purchase of theitem to the card/checking services company. Such a software applicationmay also have been provided by the card/checking services company to thecustomer for installation on the customer's device.

Such information regarding a potential purchase of a customer may bereceived by the card/checking services company through a communicationschannel and server software configured to receive such informationregarding a potential purchase of a customer. The information regardinga potential purchase of the customer may also be received from amerchant through a merchant's card charge system. For example, when auser attempts to make a purchase, certain information regarding thepurchase may be sent along with the purchase attempt to thecard/checking services company.

The information regarding a potential purchase of the customer maycomprise, but is not limited to one or more of the following: purchaseamount, category of purchase, type of purchase, serial number of an itemto be purchased, a Uniform Product Code (UPC) of an item to bepurchased, information identifying the exact item or services to bepurchased, information identifying a merchant, location of a merchant, amerchant code, a merchant name, category of merchant, merchant type,date and/or time purchase is to be made, whether a purchase is beingmade on an installment plan or a contract, terms regarding anyinstallment plan or contract, whether purchase is for a down payment ofan item, whether and when the customer intends to pay off an account onwhich the purchase is to be charged, etc.

Purchase impact information is then provided (403) to the customer basedon the information received regarding the potential purchase of thecustomer. This purchase impact information may be provided through anynumber of channels including but not limited to one or more of thefollowing: phone, text message, internet, email, credit card/checkingservices company web site, merchant charge card system, etc. Forexample, the card/checking services company may send such purchaseimpact information to a customer's mobile communications device such asa cellular phone or mobile computing device configured to receive suchinformation on the device. A software application may be running on thecustomer device configured to receive such purchase impact informationand facilitate the display of such information on the device. Such asoftware application may also have been provided by the card/checkingservices company to the customer for installation on the customer'sdevice. For example, such purchase impact information may be sent by thecard/checking services company through a communications channel andsoftware configured to send such purchase impact information.

The purchase impact information may comprise, but is not limited to, oneor more of the following: financial impact to the customer if thepurchase is made, financial status of the customer if the purchase ismade, financial status over time of the customer if the purchase ismade, financial impact comparison figures showing financial status ofthe customer with and without making the potential purchase, financialimpact comparison figures showing financial status over time of thecustomer with and without making the potential purchase, impact to thecustomer's budget if the purchase is made, amount left for spending forthe customer after the potential purchase in a budget category of thecustomer in which the potential purchase falls, net worth of thecustomer if the purchase is made, financial impact to a funding sourceof the purchase, an account balance after the purchase, amount ofinterest that would be charged on the purchase given minimum paymentswould be made to a credit card on which the purchase is placed, amountof interest that would be charged on the purchase to a credit card onwhich the purchase is placed given an amount of time that will be usedto pay for the purchase given by the customer, amount of interest thatwould be charged on the purchase given information received by customerregarding the purchase, financial impact to one or more retirement goalsof the customer if the purchase is made, loss of value over time of aproduct to be potentially purchased, amount of time the customer wouldhave to work to earn an amount equal to the purchase amount, informationregarding a product to be potentially purchased, recall informationregarding a product to be potentially purchased, information regardingsafety a product to be potentially purchased, information regardinghealth of a product to be potentially purchased, consumer reviewinformation regarding a product to be potentially purchased, etc.

Also, along with the purchase impact information, a request may be sentfor the customer to confirm they have read and/or understood thepurchase impact information and/or want to make the purchase. Aconfirmation is then received (405) from the customer through one ormore of the channels as described above regarding receiving informationregarding potential purchase of a customer. The confirmation mayindicate that the customer does indeed want to make the purchase. Thenan account on which the purchase is to be charged is unlocked (407) sothat the purchase may be made. The account may be unlocked, for example,by the card/checking services company of the account on which thepurchase is to be charged. Previously the account may have been lockedfor all purchases, purchases over a certain amount, and/or purchasesfalling within a certain category or other criteria. The account may beunlocked, for example, under one or more of the following restrictions:unlocked only for a particular time period, unlocked only up to aparticular amount of a purchase matching information received regardingthe potential purchase, unlocked only for a purchase to be made fallingwithin a same item category indicated in information received regardingthe potential purchase, unlocked only for a purchase to be made at amerchant having a same merchant code indicated in information receivedregarding the potential purchase, unlocked only for a purchase to bemade having the same merchant identification information indicated ininformation received regarding the potential purchase, unlocked only fora purchase made having same item identification information indicated ininformation received regarding the potential purchase. A messageindicating that the account has been unlocked and is available to makethe purchase may then be sent (409) to the customer through one or morechannels as described above regarding providing purchase impactinformation to the customer.

Referring next to FIG. 5, shown is a flow chart illustrating an exampleprocess for providing card account controls and purchase impactinformation involving alerting other customers associated with anaccount of a customer. First, information is received (501) regarding apotential purchase of a customer as described above, for example.Purchase impact information is then provided (503) to the customer basedon the information received regarding the potential purchase of thecustomer. This purchase impact information may be provided through anynumber of channels using any number of devices, for example, asdescribed above. The purchase impact information may also compriseinformation such as that purchase impact information described above.

Also, an alert may be sent (505) to one or more other customersassociated with an account of the customer on which the potentialpurchase is to be charged. This alert may be sent through any number ofchannels using any number of devices, for example, as described abovefor sending purchase impact information to the customer. These one ormore other customers may, for example, be a parent or spouse of thecustomer, or may be another person that has been placed on the accountof the customer. This alert may also comprise purchase impactinformation as described above. However, the exact purchase impactinformation included in the alert provided to the one or more othercustomers associated with the account need not be the same as thatprovided to the customer.

Also, along with the purchase impact information and alert, a requestmay be sent for the customer and one or more other customers to whom thealert was sent for a confirmation. For the customer, the request mayinclude a request for the customer to confirm they have read and/orunderstood the purchase impact information and/or want to make thepurchase. For the one or more other customers to whom the alert was sentfor a confirmation, the request may include, for example, a request forthem to confirm that they agree to the purchase. A confirmation is thenreceived (507) from the customer through one or more of the channels asdescribed above regarding receiving information regarding potentialpurchase of a customer. The confirmation may indicate that the customerdoes indeed want to make the purchase. A confirmation may also bereceived (509) through one or more of the channels as described aboveregarding receiving information regarding potential purchase of acustomer from the one or more other customers to whom the alert wassent.

Once the confirmation from the customer and the confirmation from theone or more other customers to whom the alert was sent are received,then an account on which the purchase is to be charged is unlocked (511)so that the purchase may be made. The account may be unlocked, forexample, by the card/checking services company of the account on whichthe purchase is to be charged. Previously, the account may have beenlocked for all purchases, purchases over a certain amount, and/orpurchases falling within a certain category or other criteria. Theaccount may be unlocked, for example, under one or more of therestrictions described above regarding account unlocking restrictions. Amessage indicating that the account has been unlocked and is availableto make the purchase may then be sent (513) to the customer and/or sent(515) to the one or more other customers to whom the alert was sent.These messages sent to the customer and one or more other customersassociated with the account need not contain the exact same informationand may be sent through one or more channels as described aboveregarding providing purchase impact information to the customer.

Referring next to FIG. 6, shown is a flow chart illustrating an exampleprocess for providing purchase impact information regarding variousaccounts of a customer. First, information is received (601) regarding apotential purchase of a customer as described above, for example. Thenpurchase impact information is then provided (407) to the customer basedon the information received regarding the potential purchase of thecustomer. In particular, providing the portion of this purchase impactinformation regarding various accounts of a customer may comprise firstaccessing (603) other accounts associated with customer to obtaincurrent information on the other accounts. These other accounts maycomprise, for example, one or more of the following accounts of thecustomer: checking accounts, savings accounts, retirement accounts,investment accounts, insurance accounts, trading accounts, etc. One ormore of the accounts above may be accessed directly by the card/checkingservices company if the accounts are also held, controlled or managedinternally by the card/checking services company, may be accessedremotely, and/or may be accessed through information gathering serviceproviders such as 3^(rd) party account aggregation service providers,for example. The one or more accounts above may also be accessed throughany number of communication channels and/or networks including, but notlimited to an intranet, the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a widearea network (WAN), a public switched telephone network (PSTN), a voiceover Internet protocol (VoIP) network, a cellular network, satellitenetwork, or other short or long range wireless network, etc.

The potential impact if the purchase is made is then calculated (605)based on the status of the customer's card account on which the purchasewould be made and the obtained information regarding other accounts. Forexample, making the purchase on the customer's credit card may requirethe customer to pay back the purchase out of another account, whosebalance would then be affected by the purchase. In order to project whatthe balance of the other account from which the credit card paymentwould be made, the other account's current balance would need to beobtained. As another example, making the purchase might affect thecustomer's net worth, and to calculate the customer's net worth and toprovide what the customer's net worth would after the purchase, currentinformation on the customer's other accounts may need to be obtained.The potential financial impact of making the purchase on the cardaccount on which the purchase would be made and on the other accountsfor which information was obtained is then provided (607) as part of, orentirely as, the purchase impact information described in FIG. 4. Thispurchase impact information may be provided through any number ofchannels using any number of devices, for example, as described above.

Referring next to FIG. 7, shown is a flow chart illustrating an exampleprocess for providing purchase impact information regarding a budget ofa customer. First, information is received (701) regarding a potentialpurchase of a customer as described above, for example. Then purchaseimpact information is then provided (407) to the customer based on theinformation received regarding the potential purchase of the customer.In particular, providing the portion of this purchase impact informationregarding a budget of a customer may comprise first accessing (703) abudget associated with the customer to obtain current information on thebudget. This budget information may be include, but is not limited to,one or more of the following: weekly, monthly, quarterly, yearly orother periodic budgeted amounts, budget categories, current amount spentin one or more budget categories, current amount left to spend in one ormore budget categories, current income, spending history, etc.

The above budget information may be accessed directly by thecard/checking services company if the budget information is stored,managed or maintained internally by the card/checking services company,may be accessed remotely such as from a device of the customer or otherentity, and/or may be accessed through information gathering serviceproviders such as 3^(rd) party account aggregation service providers,for example. The budget information above may also be accessed throughany number of communication channels and/or networks including, but notlimited to an intranet, the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a widearea network (WAN), a public switched telephone network (PSTN), a voiceover Internet protocol (VoIP) network, a cellular network, satellitenetwork, or other short or long range wireless network, etc.

The potential impact on the budget is then calculated (705) based on anyinformation received regarding the potential purchase of the customerand the obtained budget information. For example, if the potentialpurchase is for an amount of y dollars, and falls within a particularbudget category with a current amount of spending money left of xdollars, then the information provided regarding the impact to thebudget may indicate that the amount of money left in that category tospend for the customer as being x−y dollars after the purchase. Thepotential financial impact on the budget may then be provided (707) aspart of, or entirely as, the purchase impact information described inFIG. 4. This purchase impact information may be provided through anynumber of channels using any number of devices, for example, asdescribed above.

It is noted that the foregoing examples have been provided merely forthe purposes of explanation and are in no way to be construed aslimiting of the present invention. While the invention has beendescribed with reference to various embodiments, it is understood thatthe words which have been used herein are words of description andillustration, rather than words of limitations. Further, althoughembodiments have been described herein with reference to particularmeans and materials, the invention is not intended to be limited to theparticulars disclosed herein; rather, the invention extends to allfunctionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are withinthe scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art, having thebenefit of the teachings of this specification, may effect numerousmodifications thereto and changes may be made without departing from thescope and spirit of the invention in its aspects.

What is claimed:
 1. A non-transitory, computer readable medium storinginstructions executable by a processor of a server of a card/checkingservices company to provide card account controls and purchase impactinformation, the instructions comprising computer readable instructionsfor: receiving, from a card charge system, information regarding apotential purchase using a card account of a customer; generatingpotential purchase impact information based on the information regardingthe potential purchase of the customer; providing the potential purchaseimpact information to a mobile computing device of the customer;receiving a confirmation from the mobile computing device of thecustomer indicating that the customer has received the potentialpurchase impact information and desires to make the potential purchase;and unlocking the card account of the customer on which the potentialpurchase is to be made in response to receiving the confirmation.
 2. Thecomputer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the computer readableinstructions for generating and providing the potential purchase impactinformation to the mobile device of the customer comprise computerreadable instructions for: accessing account information regarding thecard account on which the potential purchase is to be made; calculatinga potential financial impact on the card account based on theinformation accessed regarding the card account and the informationreceived regarding the potential purchase of the customer; and providinginformation to the mobile computing device of the customer regarding afinancial impact of making the potential purchase using the card accounton which the potential purchase is to be made based on the calculatedpotential financial impact on the card account.
 3. The computer readablemedium of claim 2, further comprising computer readable instructionsfor: accessing one or more other accounts associated with the customerto obtain current information on the other accounts; calculating apotential financial impact on at least one of the one or more otheraccounts based on the information accessed regarding the one or moreother accounts and the information received regarding the potentialpurchase of the customer; and providing information to the mobilecomputing device of the customer regarding a financial impact of makingthe potential purchase on at least one of the one or more other accountsbased on the calculated potential financial impact on at least one ofthe one or more other accounts.
 4. The computer readable medium of claim1, wherein the potential purchase impact information is selected fromthe group consisting of one or more of the following: financial impactto the customer if the potential purchase is made, financial status ofthe customer if the potential purchase is made, financial status overtime of the customer if the potential purchase is made, financial impactcomparison figures showing financial status of the customer with andwithout making the potential purchase, financial impact comparisonfigures showing financial status over time of the customer with andwithout making the potential purchase, impact to the customer's budgetif the potential purchase is made, amount left for spending for thecustomer after the potential purchase in a budget category of thecustomer in which a potential purchase falls, net worth of the customerif the potential purchase is made, financial impact to a funding sourceof the potential purchase, an account balance after the potentialpurchase, amount of interest that would be charged on the potentialpurchase given minimum payments would be made to a credit card on whichthe potential purchase is placed, amount of interest that would becharged on the potential purchase to a credit card on which thepotential purchase is placed given an amount of time that will be usedto pay for the potential purchase given by the customer, amount ofinterest that would be charged on the potential purchase giveninformation received by customer regarding the potential purchase,financial impact to one or more retirement goals of the customer if thepotential purchase is made, loss of value over time of a product to bepotentially purchased, amount of time the customer would have to work toearn an amount equal to the potential purchase amount, informationregarding a product to be potentially purchased, recall informationregarding a product to be potentially purchased, information regardingsafety of a product to be potentially purchased, information regardinghealth of a product to be potentially purchased, and consumer reviewinformation regarding a product to be potentially purchased.
 5. Thecomputer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the computer readableinstructions for generating and providing the potential purchase impactinformation to the mobile computing device of the customer comprisecomputer readable instructions for: accessing a budget associated withthe customer to obtain current information on the budget; calculating apotential impact on the budget based on any information receivedregarding the potential purchase and the obtained current information onthe budget; and providing information regarding the potential impact onthe budget to the customer.
 6. The computer readable medium of claim 5,wherein the computer readable instructions for calculating the potentialimpact on the budget comprise computer readable instructions for:determining an amount left to spend in a particular category of thebudget based on the obtained current information; subtracting from theamount left to spend an amount equal to an amount of the potentialpurchase; and storing the result of the subtraction as at least part ofthe information regarding the potential impact on the budget.
 7. Thecomputer readable medium of claim 1, further comprising computerreadable instructions for sending a message to the mobile computingdevice of the customer that the card account has been unlocked and isavailable to make the potential purchase.
 8. The computer readablemedium of claim 1, wherein the computer readable instructions forproviding the purchase impact information comprise instructions forsending the purchase impact information through a network for display onthe mobile computing device of the customer.
 9. The computer readablemedium of claim 1, further comprising computer readable instructions forproviding an alert to one or more other customers associated with thecard account of the customer on which the potential purchase is to bemade based on the information regarding the potential purchase of thecustomer.
 10. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein thepotential purchase impact information is selected from the groupconsisting of one or more of the following: financial impact to thecustomer if the potential purchase is made, financial status of thecustomer if the potential purchase is made, and financial status overtime of the customer if the potential purchase is made.
 11. The computerreadable medium of claim 1, wherein the potential purchase impactinformation is selected from the group consisting of one or more of thefollowing: financial impact comparison figures showing financial statusof the customer with and without making the potential purchase, andfinancial impact comparison figures showing financial status over timeof the customer with and without making the potential purchase.
 12. Thecomputer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the potential purchaseimpact information comprises information regarding an amount of interestrelated to the potential purchase.
 13. The computer readable medium ofclaim 12, wherein the information regarding the amount of interestrelated to the potential purchase is selected from the group consistingof one or more of the following: the amount of interest that would becharged on the potential purchase given minimum payments would be madeto a credit card on which the potential purchase is placed, the amountof interest that would be charged on the potential purchase to a creditcard on which the potential purchase is placed given an amount of timethat will be used to pay for the potential purchase given by thecustomer, and the amount of interest that would be charged on thepotential purchase given information received by customer regarding thepotential purchase.
 14. The computer readable medium of claim 1, whereinthe potential purchase impact information is selected from the groupconsisting of one or more of the following: net worth of the customer ifthe potential purchase is made, amount of time the customer would haveto work to earn an amount equal to the potential purchase amount, andfinancial impact to one or more retirement goals of the customer if thepotential purchase is made.
 15. The computer readable medium of claim 1,wherein the potential purchase impact information comprises informationregarding a product that is part of the potential purchase.
 16. Thecomputer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the information regardingthe product is selected from the group consisting of one or more of thefollowing: loss of value over time of the product, recall informationregarding the product, information regarding safety of the product,information regarding health of the product, and consumer reviewinformation regarding the product.
 17. The computer readable medium ofclaim 1, wherein the information regarding the potential purchase isreceived from the card charge system positioned at a physical locationof a merchant.